Discounts push Consort members into divorce

Consort Hotels, the 240-strong marketing consortium, has lost 11 of its members this year.

There were a variety of reasons for hotels opting out. One hotel went into receivership and two changed ownership. But some members, who pay up to £12,000 a year to belong to the consortium, were concerned about the level of discounts offered on its promotions.

"All the leisure breaks are discounted and we are trying to sell at premium rates," said Carolyn Armstrong, owner of the Headland Hotel in Newquay.

But Consort has gained 20 new members which it has included in its latest guide.

Among the newcomers are the Apex International and Apex European in Edinburgh, Milford Hall in Salisbury, the Royal Hotel on the Isle of Wight and the Rose & Crown Hotel in Colchester.

"The numbers yo-yo but those we have gained outweigh those that have left," said a Consort spokesman.